How to self launch/land a kite - THE SAFEST WAY

In this tutorial Sam Light explains how to self launch your kite the safest way possible using an anchor point. This is the safest method because it's possible in all wind conditions and you are able to check your lines before launching. You need to know how to re-assemble your chicken loop before attempting this.
Make sure your anchor will not move before you attempt this.

[@SamLight]

Hey guys!! Thanks so much for all the feedback, there is loads of useful suggestions in the comments; such as using Carabiner hooks instead of tying a knot. Also if you have no anchor point, you can fill your kite bag with weight (stones/sand) to create your own anchor. (just make sure its very heavy!) Cheeeeeeers!

[@raytracer5726]

Thank you for this tutorial. I took 12 hours of lessons from a pro kitesurfing school, and they only explained how to launch a kite with an assistant. So I went kiting by myself for the first time, expecting to get some help, asked one guy but then he just took off (I needed 1 minute to attach the strings, then some other guy asked me to assist his launch, so my guy just left kiting), then I've spent 20 minutes waiting because there were no other kitesurfers around. Luckily I watched this video the day before, so I took a strong rope from my car, anchored the kite to a pole and launched it that way. I don't understand why they don't teach it at school, because sooner or later you will run into a situation where you have to land the kite by yourself. And this approach seems much safer than asking a complete stranger for help. Also, when you leave on a break, it feels safer to leave your kite anchored, in case it decides to take off.

[@leotastic5572]

Well at all spots I was there was no anchorpoint (or anything that could be used as one). And you really don‘t want ne kiters to go riding when there is no one around.

[@Baptiste_L]

I agree with you Sam, it is the safest way to launch and land a kite when you are alone. Filling a big strong bag with sand also works well as an anchor. Great video, keep going with your tutorial !

[@johnnykhawand]

You can buy a Carabiner hook, there are ones the size of the chicken loop easy to open and attach the chicken loop, this way you don't have to open the chicken loop to attach it to the rope. My setup is a 5m rope with knots at different places with two Carabiner hooks, i can extend it or shorten it or wrap it around a rock if i need to.

[@SamLight]

Yea thats the best setup, I had the same but someone stole it from the post while I was out kiting

[@johnnykhawand]

@@SamLight Sorry to know that, lost two so far, but was my fault i forget them attached to the rock and someone removes them, i don't find them a week later. There is a store where i buy the carabiner and rope next to the spot and it only cost 6 USD the whole thing so not an issue.

[@ianbartlam5338]

Nice tutorial

[@larsdamm3992]

Hi again Sam and once again thanks for this video! been meaning to go back to it and comment but i keep forgetting to do so untill now. I bought my gear last year and wanted to start kiteboarding, sadly however i live in northern sweden and i actually newer seen any kitesurfer withing atleast some 250km from where i live and im out on the sea almost daylie so it was warry hard for me to ever get any help. To add even moore to this, we dont have ANY beaches where i live, only rocks and instant 10m deep, cold water. Useing this technic however made it possible for me to atleast start training with the kite. Now I´ve even made a special wire that i always bring with me to serv as a anchor, it exsrendable up to 30meters and has some pretty simple but usefull quick settings that makes it work everywhere! once again thanks alot man!

[@mylifein75sqft87]

Nice, easy to understand video! Thank you!

[@kevinbradley9601]

Its a good way to launch no doubt. Can be challenging in light wind as kite can fall over- either leading edge or trailing edge down. Stakes are really comforting for higher wind days or big kites as they can be tricky to SL. Stakes also save wear on your kite.

[@gboates]

Because my main venue is windy, barren beach with wet packed sand and vehicles allowed on the beach I use this method exclusively. I attach to the aluminum wheel using a short strap and carbingers. My quiver for me @90kg. is two 11m and an 8m (RPMs and a new 11m Pivot) Sam, what are your thoughts on using depower when landing - when gusty or on a beach with dunes the wind gets lofty and the kites 'buck' at times. I've taken to snapping my leash on the upper fly line when walking towards the kite. As I get close I find that this method actually brings the leading edge down.

[@SamLight]

Thanks for the feedback, thats a good idea!

[@MatyyRdk]

What about bringing your kite into the water and letting it drift downwind until you can relaunch it as you would normally? I guess, you then have a problem if the lines turn out to be tangled, but are there any more downsides? It just seems safer for a newbie like me.

[@SamLight]

That does work but the lines can get tangled and the kite ends up directly in the power zone down wind

[@LeoGwizdala]

I love this method but it is frowned upon by some kiters , probably because they haven't tried it. If you do use a sandbag don't allow anyone with a larger kite hook in to your anchor point ; I did and , because he was heavier and his kite was bigger , he was dragged down the beach on his face ending up in an unforgiving wall.

[@jimmyjames1411]

What’s the best season and flat water spot to kite in England? If I come back to visit my family I’d like to break away a day to kite.

[@kitingholger9826]

Hi Sam, did you try this with a large (13m or more) bow kite? My experience is that large kites with certain aspect ratio tend not to sit very stable, especially in lower wind

[@matteolo4107]

What about the self landing without the rope? Just by pulling the leading edge line, sometimes my rpm doesn’t it

[@SamLight]

You can pull the top leading edge line in light wind but there is a risk that it might slide down the beach, especially in strong wind

[@RustyParadox]

I have been trying to find a video of someone demonstrating the method where you load up a folded wing tip with sand. I have never had an issue with this method even in strong wind (although there is always a limit). Its also a great method for when there isn't much beach, or where the beach has a lot of debris that could catch a line or damage the kite (which can happen with the dragging method). Does no one else know this method?

[@RustyParadox]

Oh I finally found one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6vRmKZrZ5ecj9E Definitely doesn't work as well with bow kites and maybe not the 3 strut kites.

[@A-fl1ln]

Thank you

[@Slalomer83]

its a safe self launching method - but you'll only find people that are fan of this version of self launching that are really used to constant winds and an endless amount of space for the launch - as a kitesurfer from switzerland i have tried this version on several spots in switzerland during Kitesurfing and snowkiting and can tell you -> in most of the spots that we have - it won't work at all... either the kite will not just be sitting there because of strong gusts coming from different directions, deflected by obstacles around your launch spot, or also there is simply not enought space to set up this launch... ;-) so unfortunately i really have to find some other self launch methods...

[@windsurfsongkhla]

thank super save kite

[@Alex-gg8rt]

Interesting way to tie a bowline, seems to be upside down :)

[@SamLight]

Haha I know I can only tie them one way 😂

[@coderedex]

I total disagree with releasing your chicken loop - that will eject the safety mechanism.

[@bernardkriel1]

...ive tried this in 30 knot winds in cape town....not fun ...

[@johnDEBOvis]

Next version of King of Air :)

[@hugo.wigglesworth]

Yeah I don’t think launching and landing on stones is that safe for your kite😂😂

[@SamLight]

No its not the best 😂

[@adayinthelife5772]

The unsafest most inefficient way you mean.